I just went out to move my Ranger, and I accidently put in my wife's Explorer key, but it does not turn of course, so I swap to my key, with a chip in it also, and turn the key, got lights, but won't turn over or even try. First I checked the clutch switch by making sure the pedal was all the way down, then checked the battery, and had 12.53 volts.....Right now I have the neg. terminal disconnected in an effort to reset the computer.....Any ideas???? How long do I have to wait for the computer to reset?

 

Is this the same key you always used before or is it a new one you just got made?

 

about 5 mins.

 

15 minutes or so to reset the computer from my experience.

 

Same key I always use....I doubt it would have tripped a code in the computer just putting hers in there, but it was the only thing that came to mind. It been 25 minutes since I pulled the neg. cable off, so i'll run out and try it again and respond....BRB.

 

Well, no luck with that...... Now what?

 

try a different key.. the PATS could have taken a ****.. Christian knows all to well about that one

 

Ok, I tried her key for my truck and nothing happened. Could I see 12.53 volts, but have a bad battery? The battery is the original, and the truck is a 2004. Wasn't sure if it could show correct voltage but crap out with load on it?

 

Well, I was due for a battery anyway, so I went to Walmart and got one and put it in......Turned the key and nothing, and again with the same result...... Ahhh, one more time....It fired right up! Maybe it took a few seconds to recognise the new battery? Who knows...I hate the computers in trucks nowadays.

 

whats it doing with regards to nothing? is there all sorts of random clicking under the dash???

 

I was turning the key, and it goes to the mode they go to during a start where it cuts power to all non essentials.....Radio, heater, etc.

 

There shouldnt be a period where the battery has to "recognize" the new battery..

 

I'm hoping that being I just put the battery back in that it needed to do something to justify to two key turns that it didn't start. It did start several times after that without issue.....Hope it continues to start....

 

putting that wrong key in there would not reset the computer or hang it up at all. The only time it would, is if the key was not programmed to the truck, and you turn it to try to start the truck it will lock it out for a bout a minute.

 

Glad you got it started!!!

Just to answer your original question, if you disconnect the negative battery cable, and touch the positive battery terminal for a sec., that will immediately reset the PCM. This discharges the filter capacitors on the unswitched 12V line in the PCM. Another thing you can do is disconnect the negative battery cable with the head lights on, (engine off of course) and this will also reset the PCM immediately.